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Leslie Anne Gallagher Winters, of North East, Maryland, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Born on July 2 in Morgantown, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late James Vincent Gallagher III and Patricia Gallagher. Leslie grew up in Dover, Delaware, and graduated from Caesar Rodney High School, where she met her former husband, David Winters. They married in 1980 and later settled in North East, Maryland, where they raised their three children.
Leslie built a distinguished career as a finance and accounting professional. She graduated from Goldey Beacom College in 1993 and went on to become a certified public accountant. Over the years, she served in senior executive finance roles at Mercantile Bank and Father Martin’s Ashley and Dingle and Kane P.A., earning the respect of colleagues for her expertise, dedication, and integrity.
Outside of her professional life, Leslie embraced every opportunity to explore, learn, and enjoy time with the people she loved. She traveled widely, visiting London, Paris, Mexico, Hawaii, and Saint Maarten, and she treasured family vacations at the beach. She was an excellent skier, a passionate photographer, and a fierce competitor in family board games — especially trivia, where she was nearly unbeatable. One of her greatest joys was watching her children and grandchildren play sports; she never missed a single game even in rain, sleet, or snow. Leslie is remembered for her devotion to her family, her sharp mind, her wit, and her beautiful laugh.
She is survived by her three children: Christina Winters Pannell and her husband Joe Pannell; Joshua Winters and his wife Shana Winters; and Rebecca Winters Simpson and her husband Byron Simpson. She is also survived by her five siblings — James (Jimmy) Gallagher IV, Jennifer Parker, Margaret Eldridge, John Gallagher, and Eric Gallagher — as well as her four beloved grandchildren: Cameron, Maeson, Evan, and Blake, who brought her endless pride and joy. She is also survived by her ex-husband, David Winters.
A service to honor and celebrate Leslie’s life will be held 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026. A viewing and memorial will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home of Michael J Ambruso, 1175 S. Street, Dover, DE 19901, followed by interment at Sharon Hill Memorial Park, 2928 Sharon Hill Road, Dover, DE 19904. Condolences may be shared on www.ambruso.com.
Her presence will be deeply missed, and her memory will remain a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations for the memorial. Contributions can be made at https://gofund.me/84be47103.
